Sigur Ros (strange icelandic band)

I was recently shown this band and I downloaded some of their songs. Very mellow, atmospheric, beautiful music. I still haven't heard much of their material, just wanted to know if there are any other fans on the board, and any song recomendations you have (i only have "untitled 8" and "untitled 4" thats available at www.sigur-ros.co.uk)

They're very unique and highly original...one of the guitarists uses a cello bow for most of his sounds.

My only complaint is that they sing in gibberish (on the "()" album at least), which gets old after a bit. But its a minor complaint, as the music is just overwhelmingly awesome. "Untitled #8" is very awe-inspiring.

A huge fan here. Holm (bassist) is one of the main reasons I did not give up bass, and the band as a hole opened up new doors to all kinds of music I that I would have never heard.

As for recomondations, BUY THE ALBUM! hahah If you are wondering which album to buy...

( ) - very dark, mellow, slow, more ambience than other albums, more of a rock feel...

ágætis byrjun - it is brighter so it seems more pop-like (but is nowhere near it), slightly happier...

Von and von brigði - don't bother. There is a reason they are not available outside of iceland except on tours; only die-hard fans even remotely like them (the band themselves dislike the album so much, they made the title track of ágætis byrjun (means an ok start) about how they could have done better with von).

First one is an original album, sounds a little like ágætis byrjun, just choppy, doesnt flow as well between songs and even verses, music not as good.

von brigði is a remix album of Von with the remixes by icelandtic electronic artists, but sounds more like Sigur-techno. Awful.

múm:
Very good, also icelandic. sounds like Sigur-ros' electronic departures but with some acoustic instruments, ambient guitars, and sweet sounding lo-fi analog bass.

Mogwai: (Scottish)
post-rock. Many Sigur-ros fans love them more than Sigur-ros. I, myself, am not a big fan of them. Their music is not that great, they as people are not that great either (like to talk sh!t hahah), and they did use their music for a Levi's jeans commercial (the one where the guy with the dreds and a girl stand in the middle of an abandoned city while buffalo run past them; just plain weird).

Explosions in the sky: (Texas)
A little Mogwai and a little Godspeed with no strings (which are present on ALL of these albums, 'cept this one.)

My only complaint is that they sing in gibberish (on the "()" album at least), which gets old after a bit. But its a minor complaint, as the music is just overwhelmingly awesome. "Untitled #8" is very awe-inspiring.

Re:mote Induction : Am I correct in understanding you use a combination of Icelandic and a made up language?
...
Georg: On the first album, when we wrote the songs for that, Jonsi used to sing just babble, and when we did the album, we wrote lyrics for all the songs except one where we just decided Jonsi would sing all his babble, that album was called Hope, and that song was called Hope and so we decided to call it Hopelandish, and now for example, all our new songs are just in that language.

Re:mote Induction : Babble for texture?

Georg: It's just using the voice as an instrument.

~~

I saw them when they toured the UK with Godspeed around about that time, and have the ágætis byrjun album (and a couple of promos from that time, courtesy of FatCat). I was never sure if I liked them or if they were too "nice" for me, and I've never quite got round to getting ().

They're signed to EMI now, so I'm sure they'll be getting massive promotion aimed at the Dido Demographic for their next album. Post-rock hits the mainstream!

highly unlikely, that is just the anti-corporation fans who are mad about the EMI transiton (they say the new album will be done in english to sell better).

The only way this would happen is if Sigur ros lost their minds or their original porpose to create music the way they want it with no outside ot record company interferance is forsaken because of greed (losing their minds is more likely by a long shot; They gave up a LOT of money by signing to Pias instead of other labels, and the only reason: complete artistic control.)

glad to see you have discovered a wonderful band. i really believe that too often, we as bassists get so absorbed in chops and technique, that simplicity and it's awesome power are forgotten. a band like sigur ros is a good reminder of simple creativity.

wood=basses. sorry about the negative experience with mogwai. i have found through touring with them that they are engaging and very committed to their art. i actually prefer them to most other bands of the genre and their recent performance at the coachella festival was the highlight of the weekend.

nonetheless i think we could all stand to learn a little lesson about minimalism and this kind of music is a good teacher.